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PREFACE
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES.
ANNUAL REPORT. 1952
Mr, Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the
public health and sanitary circumstances of the Borough for
1952. The Report follows a similar pattern to that for 1951,
gives information on essential matters affecting the Public
Health, and is in accordance with Ministry of Health Circular
42/51.
I am indebted to Mr. G.C. Smith, Senior Sanitary
Inspector,for the drafting and compilation of much of the
Report, especially the details relating more particularly to
the work of the Sanitary Inspectors.
Population - The estimated raid 1952 hone population
given by the Registrar General is 39,990, an increase of
70 persons over 1951. This figure is the resident night
population, and has been used for the calculation of the
statistical data now presented. The actual day population
has been estimated to be about 300,000 persons who
congregate in the town for business, education, entertainment
and recreation purposes. This is a special feature
of the town, and influences the volume of work and responsibility
of the Public Health Department.
Infectious Disease - In general the health of the
people has been good. The number of infectious disease
notifications received in 1952 was considerably lower
than in 1951, and this was due to a greatly decreased
incidence of measles and whooping cough. A reduction
in the number of cases of scarlet fever is also recorded.
Once again, for the fifth year in successions, no case
of diphtheria was notified, and further progress was
made in the active immunisation and protection of the
child population against this deadly and disabling
disease.
In, some cases combined prophylaxis against diphtheria
and whooping cough was employed and this method of active
immunisation is now being extended.
Vaccination against Smallpox - is voluntary and a
calculation shows that by the end of 1952 some 57% of
the children born, between 1st. July 1951 and 30th. June
1952 have been vaccinated.
Births - The number of live births for 1952 is 576,
and compares with 574 for 1951. The Birth Rate is
14.40 per 1,000 of the population, compared with l4.39
for 1951.
Deaths - The number of deaths recorded in 1952 is
499 compared with 556 for 1951. This makes a Death Rate
of 12.48 for 1952 compared with 13.93 for 1951.
The excess of births over deaths was 77 compared with
18 for the previous year.
The number of deaths of infants under 1 year of age
in 1952 is 14, which gives an Infant Mortality Rate, per
1,000 live births of 24.39. These figures are exactly
the same as those for 1951.